It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. This week we present a “rooftop” view, one of several in the society’s photo collections. Prior to aerial photography, rooftop views were very popular. This one was taken around 1900 from the top of the old Bower’s New Metropolitan Block in the middle of the south side of Center Street. Originally a three-story building, the Bower’s Metropolitan Block had a photography studio on the third floor during the 19th and early 20th centuries and a number of rooftop views in the collection appear to be taken from this building.

This view looks northwest with the three-story Pratt Institute building in front of the Congregational Church building at the top-center of the image. Beyond that is the large Old Main building of the Normal School (UWW) situated on one of the taller points of the city. In the foreground are the cream brick business buildings of the north side of Center Street.

Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.

(5135P Whitewater Historical Society)